British Values

Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infants School – Statement of British/Universal Values

The DfE have reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of:

 

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”

 

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. These were reiterated in 2014.

At Hanging Heaton CE (VC) Junior and Infants School, these values are reinforced regularly as part of our curriculum as well as through the daily experiences of life at our school. Detailed below are just some of the ways that British values, or universal values as we refer to them, are promoted here at Hanging Heaton.

 

Democracy

The children at our school learn about democracy in a number of ways. Our pupils experience democracy in action and are given the platform to express their views and influence the decisions the school makes.

 

For example:

 

  • Children elect school ambassadors who represent their team at school ambassador meetings. This is a prestigious role and these children act as role models.
  • Children complete regular pupil surveys where they are able to put forward their views about the school
  • Local politicians and councillors visit the school to talk about Parliament and democracy
  • Children are actively involved in judging competitions that children have entered, voting for their favourite entry
  • Our curriculum includes teaching about democracy and Parliament.
  • Children choose their class “Star of the Week”, identifying positive role models and sharing their views openly

 

The Rule of Law

The importance of laws, whether they be class rules, school rules or UK laws are consistently reinforced at Hanging Heaton. Pupils are taught why laws are necessary, and that everyone has a responsibility to uphold the law. Children also learn that when rules or laws are broken, there are often consequences. Detailed below are some of the different things that we do in school to promote the rule of law:

 

  • We share a common set of school rules that everyone in the school community adheres to
  • We share our Christian values, displayed proudly in our school hall and supported by Collective Worship themes
  • At the start of the year, classes decide what classroom rules they should have. These are referred to regularly throughout the remainder of the year as a way of reinforcing good behaviour
  • Through the consistent application of the school’s positive behaviour policy
  • Visits from the fire service and police
  • Our PSHCE curriculum actively teaches about rules of law

 

Individual Liberty

Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for our children to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and empowering education. Listed below are some of the ways that our children learn about individual liberty and personal choice:

Class and school monitoring jobs that the children apply for

Participation in extra-curricular activities of their choice

Expressing their views in class discussions and debates

Vertical theme days where children of different ages and abilities work together in collaboration

Learning about political campaigners and influential characters in history such as Martin Luther King and Gandhi

 

Mutual Respect

Respecting ourselves and each other is the basis of one of Hanging Heaton’s key school rules and is therefore central to the school’s aims and ethos. Mutual respect and understanding is promoted in school:

 

  • Through the day to day interactions between everyone who works in our school
  • Through the consistent application of the school’s positive behaviour and anti-bullying policy
  • By ensuring daily whole school Collective Worship teaches our children to show respect to one another
  • By our children having the opportunity to take part in competitive sport where they learn to play fairly and to show respect towards their opponents
  • By our junior playleaders and ambassadors who act as positive role models and are examples to others in terms of fairness
  • Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

 

Hanging Heaton is situated in a culturally diverse community. The school works hard to ensure that our children learn about different faiths, cultures and beliefs so that they are fully-equipped to live in a multi-cultural society. Detailed below are some of the ways in which we achieve this:

 

  • Our RE curriculum ensures that children learn about a variety of religions and religious festivals
  • Children visit places of worship that are important to different faiths
  • Members of different faiths and religions are invited into school to talk to the children
  • Collective Worship include learning about, and stories from, a variety of different faiths and cultures
  • Some of our pupils have the opportunity to take part in a school linking project

 

At Hanging Heaton CE (VC) J&I School we will actively challenge pupils, staff, governors or parents expressing opinions contrary to our values, including ‘extremist’ views.

 

We aim to develop our children socially, morally, culturally and spiritually to help them to be more valued and responsible citizens. To see examples of activities in which we are participating, please click the SMSC Calendar 2022-2023 document.